Nafion (R) and nanocellulose: A partnership for greener polymer electrolyte membranes

authors	Gadim, TDO; Vilela, C; Loureiro, FJA; Silvestre, AJD; Freire, CSR; Figueiredo, FML
nationality	International
journal	INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
author keywords	Bacterial cellulose; Nafion (R); Nanostructured composite membrane; Protonic conductivity; Membrane electrode assembly
keywords	BACTERIAL CELLULOSE MEMBRANES; FUEL-CELL APPLICATIONS; PROTONIC CONDUCTIVITY; COMPOSITE MEMBRANES; THERMAL-STABILITY; BIOPOLYMER; BEHAVIOR
abstract	This paper reports the characterization of a Nafion (R)/bacterial cellulose (BC) nanocomposite prepared by impregnation of a nanofibrillar BC membrane with Nafion (R). Such nanocomposite membrane is obtained crack-free and with thickness close to 100 mu m. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals a storage modulus more than 1 order of magnitude higher than for pure Nafion (R), with BC effectively limiting the viscous flow of the nanocomposite up to 125 degrees C. The in-plane protonic conductivity is 0.14S cm(-1) at 94 degrees C and 98% relative humidity, which is lower than for pure Nafion (R), but in line with the lower concentration of acid groups of the composite (0.60 vs. 0.92 mmol [H+] g(-1) for Nafion (R)). The application of the Nafion (R)/BC membrane in an air/hydrogen fuel cell is demonstrated. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
publisher	ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
issn	0926-6690
year published	2016
volume	93
beginning page	212
ending page	218
digital object identifier (doi)	10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.01.028
web of science category	Agricultural Engineering; Agronomy
subject category	Agriculture
unique article identifier	WOS:000385594600022